Thousands descended on Washington, D.C., on Saturday to participate in the Justice for All march. They wore masks and shirts with messages and carried rally signs down Pennsylvania Avenue from Freedom Plaza to the U.S. Capitol to protest police brutality and demand reform. Here are some of the more memorable signs and messages:
“I’m here because I have two sons. I’m scared for them when I wake up in the morning. I’m scared for them when I got to sleep.” —Dawn Fox of Washington, D.C.
“My sons have the right to live without fear. Plain and simple.” —Danella Browne of Upper Marlboro, Md.
Samantha Williams, Matthew Kennedy and Kevin Williams carried an enormous “Hands up, don’t shoot” profile cutout for the American Civil Liberties Union. “I’m … seventh generation, born in America, with four Ivy League degrees, and I’m still seen first as a second-class citizen just because of the pigment in my skin.” —Kevin Williams
Stephen Singleton of Detroit wore a hoodie with the names of black men killed by police. He said he made the shirt as a way to “make people remember the loss of young men of color.”
“My father was murdered in 1993 in Boston by police. I’m here to keep his memory alive and to stand up for him and others.” —Jestina Weems of Massachusetts, who carried a sign she made
“I want people to realize this has been going on for far too long. It’s not only these men on the sign; there are so many more. And it needs to cease.” —Tenese Lockhart of Landover, Md.
“I’m here for my people, to show respect for the people who started this, but to help finish what they started.” —Jeremy Phillips, 12, of Washington, D.C.
Nicole L. Cvetnic is The Root’s multimedia editor and producer.